Mr. Peter Obi has decried the poor state of governance in Nigeria, noting that the political leaders who should be responsible for managing it, are busy spending the country’s money in dollars to “buy” delegates’ votes at party primaries ahead of the next election.

Obi stated this during his acceptance as presidential candidate of Labour Party in the upcoming 2023 election.

Obi emerged as the Labour Party presidential flag bearer at a national convention of the party held in Asaba on Monday, where foremost Professor of Political Economy, Prof. Pat Utomi and one other presidential aspirant stepped down and endorsed his candidacy.

He thanked Nigerians especially, members of the Labour Party, other stakeholders and groups for endorsing his candidacy, adding that it is a patriotic duty towards seeking the desired political emancipation of the country that has been battered by many years of cumulative leadership failure.

The former Anambra State governor, said the current governmental system is dysfunctional and only “rewards unearned income and conspicuous consumption”, giving poor attention to the education, healthcare system and welfare of youths and pensioners.

He said, “our country stands hijacked by forces of retrogression. We are almost zero in all indices of development. As a result, our future, especially those of the youth and generations unborn is in ruins. We have become a laughing stock among other nations, including African countries where we were once revered.”

Obi further stated that collective goal of the party which represents the workers and masses of the country is to work for economic rebirth.

“I note with humility that the journey is going to be a collective one that will certainly require the cooperation of critical stakeholders in our country, especially the youth, whose future has been thoroughly degraded,” Obi stated.

He said the party’s governance mission would be to secure the country in all ramifications including human and national security and tackling insecurity created by unemployment.

He promised to publish manifesto which would spell out the party’s top governance priorities and urged the citizens to get their Permanent Voter Cards to be part of the collective struggle for libration.

Obi disclosed that the quest is also to unite the country by pulling the people out of poverty and “creating a new sense of nationalism and patriotism,” assuring that no part of the country will be left behind.

“I also assure you all that the struggle continues and that victory is certainly in sight towards the guarantee of a meaningful future for our youths and making this country a respected and viable member of a 21st century world, that places high value on production over consumption,” he added.